Wondering what wine to pair with your holiday celebrations? Well your choice is simple – bubbly.

There’s nothing quite as festive as popping a bottle of sparkling wine - the effervescent, crisp wine symbolizes luxury and celebration. Sparkling wine is adored by all sorts of wine drinkers, so it’s a safe bet to bring to a party, a get-together, or to open for a special evening. That being said, sparkling wine is the perfect everyday wine, no need to reserve it for only special occasions! Tessa Marie, the winemaker at Tessa Marie Wines says, “Sparkling is crisp and refreshing but full bodied. Perfect for any occasion or for no reason at all!” Keep a bottle chilling in your fridge (any type of sparkling wine should be served between 43-50° F) so you have it ready for those last minute invitations or dinners.

"Sparkling wines, especially sparkling rosés, are the ultimate food pairing wines. Pretty much everything on a cheese plate will be delicious with a bubbly, and for really sublime pairings, go for something fried or salty. One of my favorite pairings in the world is fried chicken and a dry sparkling wine." says Laura Booras Mohseni, General Manager Riverbench Vineyard and Winery.

The acidity of sparkling wines pairs fabulously with anything salty. If you’re looking for a unique new recipe to share at a holiday party, try a sparkling wine oyster shooter. Place an oyster in a flute, add enough sparkling wine to just cover the oyster, and enjoy! The salinity of the oyster is perfectly balanced with the crisp, fizzy liquid, and is a fun way to enjoy another holiday staple.

Cracking the CodeThe labels on sparkling wines can be hard to understand. Here’s a few tips to make your selection easier.

Sparkling wines come in a wide range of dry – sweet.

Brut Zero: bone dry

Brut: dry

Extra Dry: off-dry

Sec: semi-sweet

Demi Sec: sweet

Doux: very sweet

What does it all mean?

Méthode Traditionnelle: what you’ll see most sparkling wines made in the U.S. classified as; signifies the wine was made through the classic method

Cremant: any non-Champagne sparkling wine produced by Méthode Traditionnelle

Champagne: sparkling wine produced only in Champagne, France

Cava: sparkling wine produced in Spain

Prosecco: sparkling wine produced in North East Italy; has a lower percentage of alcohol and is meant to be drunk young

Moscato d’Asti: sparkling wine produced in North West Italy; has a lower percentage of alcohol and is meant to be drunk young